Goldman Sachs Sales & Trading Interview Guide (2026): 30 Real Questions
Goldman Sachs S&T Interview Guide (2026)
Goldman Sachs Sales & Trading Interview Guide (2026 Edition)
[!NOTE] This guide covers 30 real interview questions from Goldman Sachs S&T superdays, including Market Insight, Product Knowledge, Brainteasers, and Behavioral questions.
Table of Contents
- Why Sales & Trading? And why not Investment Banking or another area of finance?
- What’s happening in the markets right now? / Tell me about a recent market event you’ve been following.
- Pitch me a stock (or a trade idea).
- The Long Case for Visa: Visa operates a toll-road business model on global commerce. It has a nearly impenetrable duopoly
- The Short Case for PayPal: PayPal, on the other hand, is facing significant headwinds. Its growth has decelerated sharply
- If you had $ million, how would you invest it?
- What are you reading in the news? / What’s on the front page of the Wall Street Journal today?
- Can you name three desks within the Global Markets division and tell me what they do?
- Investment Grade (IG) Credit Trading: This desk makes markets in the bonds of high-quality corporations (rated BBB- or
- Equity Derivatives Trading: This desk trades options, futures, and other derivatives based on single stocks or stock
- FX (Foreign Exchange) Trading: This is one of the most macro-driven desks. They make markets in currency pairs like the
- What is the relationship between a bond’s price and its yield?
- What are the “Greeks” in options trading?
- for every $ move in the stock.
- What is a convertible bond?
- What is the difference between a future and a forward contract?
- Standardization: Futures contracts are highly standardized. The contract size, quality of the underlying asset, and
- Trading Venue: Futures are traded on a centralized exchange, like the CME Group. This makes them highly liquid and
- Credit Risk: This is the most important difference. With futures, the exchange’s clearinghouse acts as the counterparty
- What is VAR (Value at Risk)?
- A time period (e.g., one day)
- A confidence level (e.g., %)
- A loss amount (e.g., $ million)
- How does a Salesperson differ from a Trader?
- What is the expected value of a roll of a single standard die?
- You have a -gallon jug and a -gallon jug. How do you measure out exactly gallons?
- Fill the -gallon jug completely.
- Pour the water from the -gallon jug into the -gallon jug until the -gallon jug is full. You now have gallons left in the -
- Empty the -gallon jug.
- Pour the gallons from the -gallon jug into the -gallon jug. The -gallon jug now contains gallons of water.
- Fill the -gallon jug completely again.
- Carefully pour water from the -gallon jug into the -gallon jug (which already has gallons) until the -gallon jug is full.
- You are now left with exactly gallons in the -gallon jug.
- What is times ?
- A stock is trading at $. It goes up by % and then down by %. What is its price now?
- You are offered a game. You roll a die. If you roll a , , or , you win . Should you play this
- How many tennis balls can fit in a Boeing ?
- Volume of a Tennis Ball:
- Volume of a Boeing :
- Calculation and Adjustment:
- Tell me about a time you had to make a decision with incomplete information.
- Describe a time you failed.
- You see a trader on your desk making a trade that you are sure is a bad idea. What do you do?
- It shows respect for their experience.
- It opens a dialogue in a non-confrontational way.
- It gives me an opportunity to learn. Either I will learn why my analysis was wrong, or in the process of explaining their
- What is your biggest weakness?
- Do you have any questions for us?
- About the Desk: Given the current market environment, what is the biggest challenge or opportunity your desk is
- About Your Experience: What is one characteristic that you have seen in the most successful junior traders you have
- About the Future: How is technology, particularly AI and machine learning, changing the way your desk operates, and
Question 1: Why Sales & Trading? And why not Investment Banking or another area of finance?
Context: 这是一个决定性的问题。面试官想知道你是否真正理解S&T的本质,以及你的个性和技能是否与之匹配。
Model Answer (English)
I am drawn to Sales & Trading because I am fascinated by the dynamic and fast-paced nature of the markets. Unlike other areas of finance that are more project-based, S&T is about making real-time decisions with tangible consequences based on constantly evolving information. I thrive in high-pressure environments where I need to process information quickly, form a view, and act decisively. My experience in [mention a competitive activity, e.g., competitive sports, debate, or a trading simulation] has taught me that I enjoy the challenge of making decisions under uncertainty. While I respect the analytical rigor of Investment Banking, I am more energized by the macro-level thinking and the direct feedback loop that the market provides. I am passionate about understanding how geopolitical events, central bank policies, and economic data translate into asset price movements. I want to be at the center of that information flow, helping clients navigate the markets and managing the firm’s risk. The idea of starting each day with a clean slate and reacting to new information is incredibly exciting to me. S&T is not just a job; it’s a mindset, and it’s one that I feel I am naturally aligned with.
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 你的回答需要突出S&T的独特性:快节奏、实时决策、与市场的直接互动。将这些特点与你的个人特质(如竞争性、抗压性、对宏观事 件的敏感度)联系起来。
Question 2: What’s happening in the markets right now? / Tell me about a recent market event you’ve been following.
Context: 这个问题考察你是否真正关注市场。一个没有准备好这个问题的候选人几乎不可能通过面试。
Model Answer (English)
I’ve been closely following the recent divergence in monetary policy between the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. While the Fed has maintained a hawkish stance, signaling that rates may stay “higher for longer” to combat persistent inflation, the ECB is facing a more complex situation with a looming recession in parts of the Eurozone, which might force them to pause or pivot sooner than expected. This has several implications for the market: For FX Markets: This policy divergence is putting downward pressure on the EUR/USD exchange rate. A trade idea could be to go long the US Dollar against the Euro, anticipating further widening of the interest rate differential. For Fixed Income: It suggests that US Treasury yields, particularly at the short end of the curve, will remain elevated, while German Bund yields might have less room to rise, potentially creating opportunities in relative value trades between the two. For Equities: A stronger dollar and higher rates in the US could be a headwind for US multinational corporations with significant overseas earnings, while European exporters might benefit from a weaker Euro. This could inform a sector- rotation strategy. This situation highlights the interconnectedness of global markets and the importance of understanding central bank communication, which is a key part of being a successful trader.
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 选择一个你深入了解的、正在发生的宏观主题(如央行政策、通胀数据、特定行业趋势)。不要只是复述新闻,而是要提供你自己的观 点,并分析其对不同资产类别的影响。
Question 3: Pitch me a stock (or a trade idea).
Context: 这是你展示分析能力、沟通能力和说服力的最佳机会。一个好的Pitch是S&T面试的入场券。
Model Answer (English)
(Trade Idea): My trade idea is a relative value trade: going long on Visa (V) and shorting PayPal (PYPL). The Thesis: My core thesis is that the market is currently under-appreciating the resilience of Visa’s traditional payment network moat while overestimating PayPal’s ability to navigate the increasingly competitive and lower-margin digital wallet space.
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 选择一个你真正研究过的公司或交易。结构清晰至关重要: 推荐 -> 论点 (2-3个) -> 估值 -> 风险。对于S&T,交易想法(Trade Idea)可能 比单纯的股票推荐更受青睐,因为它更贴近交易员的日常工作。
Question 4: The Long Case for Visa: Visa operates a toll-road business model on global commerce. It has a nearly impenetrable duopoly
Model Answer (English)
Question 5: The Short Case for PayPal: PayPal, on the other hand, is facing significant headwinds. Its growth has decelerated sharply
Model Answer (English)
Question 6: If you had $ million, how would you invest it?
Context: 这个问题与IB面试中的同名问题有所不同。在S&T的背景下,面试官更想看到你对风险、流动性和不同交易策略的理解。
Model Answer (English)
My investment strategy for $ million would be guided by the principles of diversification, risk management, and capturing specific market opportunities, reflecting a trading-oriented mindset. Core Portfolio (% - $,): The foundation of the portfolio would be a diversified, low-cost set of ETFs to capture broad market returns. $k in a Global Equity ETF (like VT): This provides exposure to thousands of stocks across developed and emerging markets. $k in a US Aggregate Bond ETF (like AGG): This provides stability, income, and a hedge against an equity market downturn. Satellite / Tactical Portfolio (% - $,): This is where I would implement more active trade ideas to generate alpha. $k for my Relative Value Trade: I would allocate this to the Long Visa / Short PayPal trade I just discussed. This is designed to be a market-neutral source of returns. $k in a Volatility Play: Given the current macroeconomic uncertainty, I believe owning some volatility could be a profitable hedge. I would buy long-dated call options on the VIX index. This position has a high potential payoff if there is a market shock, but the risk is limited to the premium paid. $k in an Emerging Market Currency Trade: I would look for opportunities in carry trades. For example, if a country like Mexico has high interest rates and a stable political outlook, I might go long the Mexican Peso against a currency with low interest rates like the Japanese Yen. This trade earns the interest rate differential (the carry) but is exposed to FX volatility. This blended approach combines a stable, diversified core with a set of uncorrelated, tactical trades. It’s designed not just to capture market beta, but to actively generate alpha through specific, risk-defined strategies, which is the essence of trading.
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 你的回答应该更具交易导向性,而不仅仅是传统的“买入并持有”的资产配置。可以讨论一些具体的交易策略或产品。
Question 7: What are you reading in the news? / What’s on the front page of the Wall Street Journal today?
Context: 这是一个简单的测试,看你是否真的每天都在关注市场。如果你答不上来,面试基本上就结束了。
Model Answer (English)
This morning, the front page of the Wall Street Journal was leading with the latest US CPI (Consumer Price Index) data, which came in slightly hotter than expected. The headline was something like “Inflation Remains Stubbo rn, Complicating Fed’s Path.” The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, was particularly concerning as it showed persistent price pressures in the services sector. The market reacted immediately: Treasury yields ticked up, and equity futures turned negative, as investors priced in a higher probability that the Fed will need to keep interest rates elevated for a longer period. This is a classic example of how a single data point can instantly re-price assets across the board.
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 你必须真的去读。养成每天早上阅读WSJ、Financial Times和Bloomberg的习惯。你需要能够说出至少一到两个主要新闻标题,并 准备好就其中一个进行简要讨论。
Question 8: Can you name three desks within the Global Markets division and tell me what they do?
Context: 这个问题考察你是否对交易大厅的实际运作有基本了解。高盛的暑期实习是轮岗制,所以他们希望你对不同的部门有所了解。
Model Answer (English)
Certainly. Three desks that I find particularly interesting are:
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 准备好至少三个具体的交易部门,并能用一两句话清晰地描述它们的核心业务。选择不同资产类别的部门可以展示你的知识广度。
Question 9: Investment Grade (IG) Credit Trading: This desk makes markets in the bonds of high-quality corporations (rated BBB- or
Model Answer (English)
Question 10: Equity Derivatives Trading: This desk trades options, futures, and other derivatives based on single stocks or stock
Model Answer (English)
Question 11: FX (Foreign Exchange) Trading: This is one of the most macro-driven desks. They make markets in currency pairs like the
Model Answer (English)
Question 12: What is the relationship between a bond’s price and its yield?
Context: 这是固定收益领域最基本的问题。回答错误是不可原谅的。
Model Answer (English)
A bond’s price and its yield have an inverse relationship. When the price of a bond goes up, its yield goes down, and vice versa. Here’s why: A bond’s coupon payment is fixed. Let’s say you buy a bond with a face value of per year. The yield is the effective rate of return you get on the price you paid for the bond. If you pay $ for this bond, your yield is % ( ). Now, imagine interest rates in the market rise, and new bonds are being issued with a % coupon. Your % bond is now less attractive. To sell it, you have to lower the price, say to $. The new buyer still gets the same / $), which is higher. Conversely, if interest rates fall to %, your % bond is more attractive. You can sell it for a premium, say $. The new buyer’s yield is now .% ( ), which is lower. This inverse relationship is the fundamental principle of interest rate risk in bond investing.
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 解释它们之间的反向关系,并用一个简单的例子来说明为什么会这样。
Question 13: What are the “Greeks” in options trading?
Context: 这是衍生品交易的核心概念。你需要能够说出主要的几个Greeks并解释它们的含义。
Model Answer (English)
The “Greeks” are a set of risk measures that describe the sensitivity of an option’s price to changes in various parameters. They are essential tools for any options trader to manage their risk. The most important ones are:1000thatpaysa5 50/ 50coupon,buttheiryieldisnow∗∗5.26 50/ Delta: This measures how much an option’s price is expected to change for a
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 至少要能清晰地解释Delta, Gamma, 和 Vega。
Question 14: for every $ move in the stock.
Model Answer (English)
Question 15: What is a convertible bond?
Context: 这是一个混合型产品的问题,考察你对不同资产类别之间联系的理解。
Model Answer (English)
A convertible bond is a hybrid security that combines features of both a bond and a stock. It’s a corporate bond that the holder can choose to convert into a predetermined number of shares of the company’s common stock. For the Investor: It offers the best of both worlds. If the company’s stock price goes up, the investor can convert the bond into stock and participate in the upside, just like a stockholder. If the stock price goes down, they can choose not to convert and continue to receive the regular coupon payments and get their principal back at maturity, just like a bondholder. This creates a floor for their investment, offering downside protection. For the Issuer: Companies issue convertible bonds for two main reasons. First, they can offer a lower coupon rate than they would on a regular bond because investors are willing to accept a lower yield in exchange for the conversion option. This lowers the company’s cost of debt. Second, if the bonds are converted, it turns debt into equity on their balance sheet, which can improve their credit metrics. It’s a form of delayed equity financing. Convertible bond traders need to be skilled in analyzing both credit risk (like a bond trader) and equity volatility (like an options trader), as the value of the bond is driven by both.
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 解释它既有债券的特性,又有股票的特性,并说明这对发行人和投资者各自的意义。
Question 16: What is the difference between a future and a forward contract?
Context: 这是一个关于衍生品市场结构的基础问题。
Model Answer (English)
Both futures and forwards are contracts to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price at a specified time in the future. However, they have three key differences:
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 重点在于标准化、交易所交易和信用风险这三个核心区别。
Question 17: Standardization: Futures contracts are highly standardized. The contract size, quality of the underlying asset, and
Model Answer (English)
Question 18: Trading Venue: Futures are traded on a centralized exchange, like the CME Group. This makes them highly liquid and
Model Answer (English)
Question 19: Credit Risk: This is the most important difference. With futures, the exchange’s clearinghouse acts as the counterparty
Model Answer (English)
Question 20: What is VAR (Value at Risk)?
Context: 这是一个风险管理的核心概念,S&T的每个交易员都需要理解它。
Model Answer (English)
VaR, or Value at Risk, is a statistical measure used to quantify the level of financial risk within a firm or investment portfolio over a specific time frame. It answers the question: “What is the maximum loss I can expect over a certain period with a certain level of confidence?” A VaR statistic has three components:
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 解释清楚三个要素:时间范围、置信水平和潜在损失金额。
Question 21: A time period (e.g., one day)
Model Answer (English)
Question 22: A confidence level (e.g., %)
Model Answer (English)
Question 23: A loss amount (e.g., $ million)
Model Answer (English)
Question 24: How does a Salesperson differ from a Trader?
Context: 这个问题考察你对交易大厅内部角色分工的理解。
Model Answer (English)
Salespeople and Traders work very closely together on the trading floor, but they have distinct roles and skill sets. The Salesperson’s Role: The salesperson is the primary relationship manager for the client. Their job is to understand the client’s needs, investment objectives, and risk appetite. They are responsible for generating trade ideas, pitching them to clients, and providing market color and analysis. They need to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They bring the client’s order to the trader. The Trader’s Role: The trader’s primary role is to execute the client’s order and manage the resulting risk for the firm. When a salesperson brings them an order, the trader provides a price (the bid or the ask). Once the trade is executed, the position goes onto the trader’s book. The trader’s job is then to manage the risk of that book, either by finding another client to take the other side of the trade or by hedging the risk in the market. Traders need to be highly analytical, quantitative, and able to make quick decisions under pressure. In essence, the salesperson is outward-facing, focusing on the client relationship, while the trader is inward-facing, focusing on market prices and risk management. A successful trading desk needs both to function effectively. The salesperson brings in the business, and the trader prices and manages it profitably. 第三部分: 脑筋急转弯与数学问题 (Brainteasers & Math) 这部分问题旨在测试你的逻辑思维、解决问题的能力和在压力下的心算速度。面试官更关心你的思考过程,而不是最终的答案。
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 突出两者在技能、职责和与客户互动方式上的不同。
Question 25: What is the expected value of a roll of a single standard die?
Context: 这是一个基础的概率问题。
Model Answer (English)
The expected value is the sum of the value of each possible outcome multiplied by its probability. A standard die has faces, with values , , , , , and . The probability of rolling any single face is ⁄. So, the expected value is: ( * ⁄) + ( * ⁄) + ( * ⁄) + ( * ⁄) + ( * ⁄) + ( * ⁄) = (+++++) / = / = .
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 清晰地列出每个结果的概率和数值,然后计算加权平均值。10millionforatradingdeskmeansthatthereisa99
Question 26: You have a -gallon jug and a -gallon jug. How do you measure out exactly gallons?
Context: 这是一个经典的逻辑谜题,考察你的创造性思维和解决问题的能力。
Model Answer (English)
Here is one way to do it:
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 一步一步地清晰描述你的操作过程。
Question 27: Fill the -gallon jug completely.
Model Answer (English)
Question 28: Pour the water from the -gallon jug into the -gallon jug until the -gallon jug is full. You now have gallons left in the -
Model Answer (English)
Question 29: Empty the -gallon jug.
Model Answer (English)
Question 30: Pour the gallons from the -gallon jug into the -gallon jug. The -gallon jug now contains gallons of water.
Model Answer (English)
Question 31: Fill the -gallon jug completely again.
Model Answer (English)
Question 32: Carefully pour water from the -gallon jug into the -gallon jug (which already has gallons) until the -gallon jug is full.
Model Answer (English)
Question 33: You are now left with exactly gallons in the -gallon jug.
Model Answer (English)
Question 34: What is times ?
Context: 这是一个心算问题,考察你的快速计算能力。
Model Answer (English)
I would break it down like this: * = * ( + ) = ( * ) + ( * ) = + =
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 把复杂的乘法分解成简单的部分。
Question 35: A stock is trading at $. It goes up by % and then down by %. What is its price now?
Context: 这是一个看似简单但容易出错的百分比问题。
Model Answer (English)
The initial price is $. It goes up by %, so it increases by * .). The new price is $. Then, it goes down by % from the new price of . ($ * .). The final price is . = $..
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 关键在于第二步的基数已经改变了。
Question 36: You are offered a game. You roll a die. If you roll a , , or , you win . Should you play this
Context: game? 这是一个关于期望值和决策的问题。
Model Answer (English)
1( 11.Thedecreaseis 11− 1.Ifyourolla5or6,youlose To decide if I should play, I need to calculate the expected value (EV) of the game. The probability of winning $ is the probability of rolling a , , , or , which is ⁄ or ⁄. The probability of losing $ is the probability of rolling a or , which is ⁄ or ⁄. The expected value is: EV = (Probability of Winning * Amount Won) + (Probability of Losing * Amount Lost) EV = (⁄ * ) EV = ⁄ EV = $⁄ Since the expected value is positive ($.), I should play this game. Over the long run, I would expect to make an average of cents every time I play.
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 计算这个游戏的期望值。如果期望值为正,你就应该玩。
Question 37: How many tennis balls can fit in a Boeing ?
Context: 这是一个经典的Guesstimate问题。面试官不关心确切的数字,只关心你的逻辑框架和假设。
Model Answer (English)
Okay, this is a volume estimation problem. I will break it down into estimating the volume of a and the volume of a tennis ball, and then adjust for packing efficiency.
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 把大问题分解成小问题,并清晰地说明你的每一个假设。
Question 38: Volume of a Tennis Ball:
Model Answer (English)
Question 39: Volume of a Boeing :
Model Answer (English)
Question 40: Calculation and Adjustment:
Model Answer (English)
Question 41: Tell me about a time you had to make a decision with incomplete information.
Context: 这是S&T工作的日常。面试官想看你的决策框架和风险管理思维。
Model Answer (English)
(Situation) In a student investment fund I was part of, we held a significant position in a biotech company. A few days before their pivotal Phase trial results were due, a rumor surfaced on a popular financial blog that the trial had failed. The stock immediately dropped % in after-hours trading. (Task) As the analyst covering the stock, I had to make an immediate recommendation to the team: should we sell our position to cut our losses, hold through the volatility, or even buy more on the dip? (Action) The information was incomplete and unverified. My first step was to try and assess the credibility of the source, which was difficult. I then created a decision framework based on expected value. I assigned probabilities to three scenarios: ) The rumor is true (let’s say % probability, stock goes to ), and ) The rumor is false but the trial fails anyway (% probability, stock goes to $). I presented this framework to the team, arguing that despite the negative sentiment, the risk/reward was still skewed to the upside based on our original research. I recommended we hold our position but buy some out-of-the-money put options to hedge our downside risk against the possibility of the rumor being true. (Result) The team agreed with the hedging strategy. The next day, the company issued a statement denying the rumor, and the stock recovered most of its losses. A week later, the trial results were positive, and the stock soared. Our fund made a significant profit. I learned that in the face of panic and incomplete information, having a structured, probabilistic framework is the best way to make a rational decision and avoid being driven by fear.
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 使用STAR方法。重点突出你如何在不确定性中构建一个逻辑框架来指导你的决策。
Question 42: Describe a time you failed.
Context: 面试官想看你的韧性、自我反省能力和从错误中学习的能力。交易员每天都在犯小错误,关键是他们如何应对。
Model Answer (English)
(Situation) During my internship, I was responsible for tracking the P&L of a trader’s book. One afternoon, I misread a trade ticket and entered a sell order as a buy order in my tracking spreadsheet. (Task) My spreadsheet was used for the end-of-day risk report, so this error, if uncorrected, would lead to a completely wrong representation of the trader’s position and risk. (Action) I didn’t realize my mistake until the end of the day when the trader was reviewing his position and asked why my numbers were so different from his. My heart sank. I immediately owned up to my mistake. I didn’t make excuses. I said, “I am so sorry, I must have entered a trade incorrectly. Let me find the error right now.” I quickly went through the day’s tickets, found the incorrect entry, and corrected it. The trader was annoyed, but he appreciated that I was honest and fixed it quickly. (Result) The immediate result was that the risk report was corrected and filed on time. But the more important result was what I learned. I realized that in a fast-paced environment, it’s easy to make simple mistakes. From that day on, I implemented a new process for myself: after entering all the trades, I would take a -minute break and then re-check every single entry against the tickets. This simple double-checking process helped me avoid any further errors for the rest of my internship. I learned that taking responsibility immediately and creating a process to prevent future failures is the only way to handle mistakes in this business.
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 选择一个真实的失败例子。不要推卸责任。重点在于你如何分析失败、承担责任,以及你学到了什么并如何应用到未来。
Question 43: You see a trader on your desk making a trade that you are sure is a bad idea. What do you do?
Context: 这个问题考察你的判断力、沟通技巧和团队合作精神。你既要尊重资深同事, 又要敢于表达自己的观点。
Model Answer (English)
As a junior member of the team, my first assumption would be that the senior trader probably sees something that I don’t. So, my approach would be one of inquiry, not confrontation. I would approach the trader at an appropriate moment, when they are not in the middle of a hectic trade, and say something like: “Hi [Trader’s Name], I was just looking at the trade you put on in [Asset Name]. I found it really interesting. My initial analysis suggested [mention your counter-view briefly]. I would be really grateful if you could walk me through your thinking. I am sure I am missing something, and I would love to learn from your perspective.” This approach achieves several things:10),2)Therumorisfalseandthetrialissuccessful(50
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 你的回答应该表现出一种谦逊但自信的态度。关键在于以提问和学习的方式来挑战对方,而不是直接对抗。
Question 44: It shows respect for their experience.
Model Answer (English)
Question 45: It opens a dialogue in a non-confrontational way.
Model Answer (English)
Question 46: It gives me an opportunity to learn. Either I will learn why my analysis was wrong, or in the process of explaining their
Model Answer (English)
Question 47: What is your biggest weakness?
Context: 这是一个经典的面试问题,旨在评估你的自我认知和成长意愿。
Model Answer (English)
My biggest weakness has been a tendency to want to find the “perfect” answer before making a decision. In my academic work, I was used to having all the time and information needed to conduct exhaustive research. However, I quickly learned during my internship that in trading, you rarely have that luxury. You have to make decisions quickly with incomplete information. I became aware of this when I was working on a trade idea and spent too much time trying to model every possible scenario, and by the time I had a “perfect” model, the market opportunity had already passed. To address this, I have been actively working on developing a more “⁄” mindset. I now focus on identifying the - key drivers of a trade and making a decision based on those, rather than getting lost in the noise. I practice this by giving myself time limits for analyzing news or data and forcing myself to come to a conclusion within that timeframe. This has helped me become much more comfortable with the ambiguity and speed that is required in the markets.
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 选择一个真实的、但不会让你看起来不适合S&T的弱点。关键在于展示你已经认识到这个问题,并且正在积极地采取措施来改进它。
Question 48: Do you have any questions for us?
Context: 这是一个你展示好奇心、对职位和公司的热情以及你思考深度的机会。永远不要说“没有问题” 。
Model Answer (English)
Yes, I do. Thank you for the opportunity.
Expert Insight (中文解析)
[!TIP] 准备2-3个有深度的、开放式的问题。好的问题通常关注于团队、文化、挑战和个人发展。
Question 49: About the Desk: Given the current market environment, what is the biggest challenge or opportunity your desk is
Model Answer (English)
Question 50: About Your Experience: What is one characteristic that you have seen in the most successful junior traders you have
Model Answer (English)
Question 51: About the Future: How is technology, particularly AI and machine learning, changing the way your desk operates, and
Model Answer (English)
Conclusion & Recommended Reading
Mastering the technicals and behavioral questions is just the first step. To fully prepare for your Sales & Trading or other financial interviews, consider exploring these related guides:
- The Ultimate Consulting Interview Guide (2026): If you are also looking at consulting roles, this mega-guide covers 300+ questions from MBB and Big 4.
- Investment Banking Interview Guide: A comprehensive manual for IB interviews.
- Behavioral Interview Guide: Master the "Tell me about yourself" and "Why us" questions.
[!TIP] Final Advice: Goldman Sachs values "Commercial Awareness" highly. Make sure you are up to date with the latest market news (WSJ, FT) before walking into your Superday.
